This innovative, simple,and inexpensive transceiver is the creation of Dieter Gentzow, W8DIZ. Diz, as the world knows him, is the founder of The Flying Pigs QRP Club International. At over 3000 members worldwide, it may be the 3rd largest QRP Club in existence, right behind GQRP and QRPARCI. Diz is also the owner of the well known online parts store, KitsandParts.com.

Please refer to the pictures at right for my version of this neat little rig. If you like the appearance, I will supply a free panel label file like this one, but with your call on the front. I will be happy to share building experiences also. Just send me a note, I'm good on QRZ.com. More photos are here. Notice the world's most stable frequency display :o) Please scroll down for more info.

The rig is innovative in that it utilizes a Direct Conversion Receiver with single signal reception. This is accomplished by using a crystal filter as a front end filter and a crystal controlled Local oscillator on the same frequency. The filter slices off the opposite sideband. The rig is therefore rock bound - no VFO. The design goals were to provide a simple, inexpensive transceiver for clubs and other special interest ham groups.

The transmitter employs a Colpits oscillator, bipolar buffer and driver, and two BD139 NPN Power transistors in Push Pull for the final. Interstage coupling is accomplished by simple and low turns count binocular core transformers.

Here is the Pig Rig's description from the Kitsandparts.com web page.

Full 5 Watts output (7,030.7 KHz) using 13.6 VDC
Full QSK, one Sideband only, Single Conversion Design
Includes built in keyer IC

The purpose of this new transceiver is to ...
"Provide a high quality, inexpensive transceiver that encourages special groups of hams to communicate with minimal effort."

This transceiver was designed for Radio Clubs and/or Special Events.
You turn the radio on...you listen...you do not tune...you do not switch anything...you do not search.If you hear someone on "your special frequency", there is a good chance it could be a member of your group.

The size of the PCB is only 2.5" (63,5 mm) by 3.8" (96,5 mm)
Yes...it does produce a full 4.99 watts RF out
and it is as sensitive as just about anything else that you may have in your radio shack.

Custom club/group frequencies are available for 40 meters.
The name of this radio shall henceforth be labeled "The Flying Pig Rig".

As he has done for many of the Four State QRP Group's kits, Jon Iza, EA2SN has translated the excellent Pig Rig assembly instructions into
Spanish Thank you Jon for this fine service.

BCI Note:
At my QTH I have a BCI issue, the local broadcast station on 1240 KC is a pain. I've had to use a highpass filter on nearly every DC receiver I've built
over the years, scratch built or kit. The lone exception was Dan Tayloe's FT. Tuthill 80. Dan used a 74HC4053 as a double balanced mixer, and a bandpass filter on the receiver front end.

While bench testing the Pig Rig, I found I needed the BCI filter between the rig and the antenna. I had hoped that the interference might be due to the long unshielded leads, but the BCI rides in on the antenna. After placing the Rig in the enclosure, I found still needed the filter, the BCI still wiped out the signals and band noise. The high pass filter I have used with good success over the years is
here: I call it my KBIZ killer.

Finally: If you want to use your favorite memory keyer with your PigRig. You'll need to
make up a cable with a stereo plug on one end and a mono plug on the other.
See this page for a cable that works well for me.

So if you're itching to build a kit this Winter, try a nifty and different little rig - build the Pig Rig. I'm sure you will enjoy building and using the rig, I have.